By Central Valley School District policy, parents/guardians must provide a written and signed excuse whenever their students are absent, tardy or dismissed early from school. School attendance staff may not accept a verbal or emailed excuse.

District policy states: “All instances of excused absence require a written parent/guardian excuse. The excuse must identify the date/time of absence, reason for absence, tardiness or early departure and parent/guardian signature. Students failing to present an excuse prior to an early departure or upon reporting back to school following an absence or tardiness will be subject to a warning. Subsequent offenses will result in progressive discipline and/or Department of Social Services contact.”

“We discovered different attendance practices across the district. After consulting with the New York State Education Department and our school attorney, we realized that we needed to follow a single procedure that complies with the Central Valley School District policy,” said Superintendent Cosimo Tangorra.

What to include in a written excuse

An excuse must include:

The child’s name

Date of the absence/tardy/early dismissal

Reason

Parent’s/guardian’s signature

What is an excused absence?

Students are considered legally absent from school due to:

Personal illness

Serious illness or death in the family

Impassable roads due to weather conditions

Religious observance

Quarantine

Court appearances

Attendance at health clinics

Approved cooperative work programs

Approved college visits

Military obligations

Disciplinary detention of an incarcerated youth

What is not an excused absence?

Most absences not mentioned above are interpreted under the law as “unexcused absences,” including but not limited to:

Vacation

Babysitting

Shopping

Oversleeping

Needed at home

Cold weather

Missing the bus

Our Mission

Central Valley School District will provide a relevant, progressive educational and social foundation to graduate all students as lifelong learners prepared for career and/or college.